Bacillus velezensis as antagonist towards Penicillium roqueforti s.l. in silage: in vitro and in vivo evaluation

Aims The present study was conducted to evaluate the antagonistic effect of Bacillus velezensisNRRL B‐23189 towards Penicillium roqueforti s.s. and Penicillium paneum (designated together as P. roqueforti s.l.) in silage conditions. Methods and Results Corn silage conditions were simulated in vitro, and the impact of B. velezensis culture supernatant or cell suspension on P. roqueforti s.l. growth and roquefortine C production was evaluated. The antagonism was promising, but growth of B. velezensis in corn silage infusion was poor. Additionally, an in vivo experiment was carried out with mini‐silos containing a mixture of perennial ryegrass and white clover inoculated with P. roqueforti s.l. The applied B. velezensis cell suspension was unsuccessful in reducing P. roqueforti s.l. numbers, but did not compromise the silage acidification. Conclusions Although the antagonism observed in vitro was promising, the applied B. velezensis cell suspension could not live up to the expectations in vivo. Significance and Impact of the Study To our knowledge, the present study is the first one evaluating the antagonistic properties of B. velezensis towards toxigenic moulds in silage conditions, offering a good base for further research.